Could soap and water be washed up as the hospital scrub-up of choice?

A Swiss study presented at a meeting of the Society for Microbiology in San Diego Saturday found that even though they are more expensive, the alcohol-based rinses are quicker and handier than soap and water in killing dangerous bacteria on the hands.

Researchers from University of Geneva Hospitals in Switzerland conducted a cost-benefit analysis of different types of hand hygiene measures in hospitals. They found hospitals that used alcohol rinses had dramatically reduced rates of hospital-acquired infections.

As more hospitals put the alcohol solution dispensers in every room, it will be a "revolution in hand hygiene" according to nurse Elaine Larson, a Columbia University researcher.

The convenience factor is viewed as a big plus since busy health care workers are less likely to skip the 15-second application of an alcohol foam, gel or lotion than do a one-minute wash-up at a sink.

Larson said she does not recommend replacing ordinary soap in the home. However, the alcohol rubs could be helpful if people are traveling and cannot wash, have sick children or care for people with weakened immune systems.